my freudian slip - phan

xv.

Phil can't really understand how Dan can get into them. Phil's old enough, got the license two months ago legally– and as far as he's heard about Dan– still has 2 years.

And he's also heard this has been going on long before that.

"ID?"

Phil shows the doorman his card and walks in, sits down at the bar and looks around. It's dark, the walls ringed in stripes and the candy colored lights shining like a wrapper crinkling to the crowd.

"How are you doing tonight, sir?"

Phil looks around. In front of him is a woman. "Um, good, thank you."

"Ya looking for anything tonight?"

"Oh-um" He thinks of Dan. He should wait for him. "You look lovely... but um, no- girls, yeah. Sorry." Phil doesn't know how to verbalise it.

She smiles knowingly. "Oh don't worry, I 'ave something for ya. Come'n look?" Phil's heart pounds. Dan couldn't be...

"Meet Jamesy? He'll do anything, promise. Even me you cheeky fucker, I saw you staring!" The woman's purple lipstick shines from the black lights, tinting it an uncomfortable yellow. She takes his arm and whisks him into the crowd, a couple people wolf whistling in the process. He's glad it's only been one beer, or he'd probably be sick from the chaos.

"Oi, Jamesy!" The woman brings him into a back room with a group of others, the lighting slightly brighter.

A boy stands up and turns around from a table strewn with mirrors with powder. It takes a second for him to register the face. There he is.

Dan Howell's eyes widen like an electric shock has run through him. Phil can see him wearing torn black jeans, a loose fitting crop top, and a silver necklace. His hair is free of the palmade but sticks to his forehead in thick loose curls, and he fancies (maybe it's the lighting) he's a tad bit tanner too. He can see dark lashes from across the room and wonders if it's mascara doing it. Phil doesn't recognize him.

Dan wipes at his nose. "Lovely one you are."

"Ya know him? Only got'em because things are so slow and knew he warn't a plod from his nerves." The woman raises her voice. "Maybe you can do something for him?"

"I don't know him," Dan chokes, trying to smile. "But he's something. I've got it from here, Crystal."

The rest of the party in the room eyes the two of them, and an older man tries to signal Phil to sit down. He just shakes his head, scared. "You just want the boy, huh?"

Phil looks over to Dan, who's seems to have the look of death on him.

"This boy will change your life," he smirks, "trust me." He takes a shot glass from the mirror. "You're new to this by the looks of it."

"Yeah."

"I'll cut to the chase kid. 50 quid for the night. Condom or nothing, you got me?"

Phil's stomach sinks. He had expected it. It's taking everything out of him to not look at Dan.

"Here." The money feels heavy as he hands it over. Several girls on the couches look up at him sadly, clinging to the men like leeches.

"Take him J, we'll see you tomorrow. Don't ruff him up," he gestures to Phil, "that's our job– if you know what I mean." The man smiles slickly, turning Phil's stomach over again.

He didn't know.

Dan smiles for the first time and takes Phil by the hand. "Come on lovely," he whispers to him, "Let's get out of here." He flashes a winning smile back to the men behind him and leading a stumbling Phil out.